About the Book
China’s influence on the international stage has grown significantly over recent decades. Alongside the rapid development of its economy, the country has come to play a key role within the global configuration of politics and diplomacy. It has therefore become vital that students of Chinese acquire advanced language skills. This book familiarises students with the use of the formal register, allowing them to extend their proficiency to the advanced level in the skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In this way, students may also increase their understanding of China’s cultural heritage, politics, and international relations.
The texts chosen are written in a variety of styles and employ various forms of Chinese discourse in order that students may achieve greater breadth and depth in their knowledge of grammar and syntax. Moreover, students will find that there is ample opportunity to develop the tools with which to express opinions appropriately, both orally and in writing. The selection of materials in the book has been based on the CEFR (Common European Framework for Reference) B2 and above, the Advanced level of ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), and Grades 5 (HSK 5) and above of the newly-published version of the Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education. Full audio is available online.
Table of Contents:
Table of Contents
About the authors
Preface
Acknowledgements
Glossary
Chapter 1 China and France
第一章 中法关系
Chapter 2 China and Africa
第二章 中非关系
Chapter 3 China and the United Kingdom
第三章中英关系
Chapter 4 China and the United States
第四章 中美关系
Chapter 5 China and Russia
第五章 中俄关系
Chapter 6 China and Kazakhstan, Pakistan
第六章 中国与哈萨克斯坦、巴基斯坦
Chapter 7 China and Southeast Asia
第七章 中国与东南亚国家
Chapter 8 China and Japan
第八章 中日关系
Chapter 9 China and New Zealand, Australia
第九章 中国澳新界关系
About the Author :
Zhiyan Guo is Professor and Subject Leader of Chinese at the University of Warwick, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK, and previously elected as Chair of the British Chinese Language Teaching Society. Her research interests include intercultural communication, language acquisition, Chinese characters and reading, and technology in language teaching. She published the monograph Young Children as Intercultural Mediator: Mandarin-speaking Chinese Families in Britain (2014) and other publications (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5852-441).
Ruth Herd has been Coordinator of Mandarin Chinese at Imperial College London since 2002. She has degrees in Chinese (1991) and Japanese (1983), both from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and obtained her doctorate in Oriental Studies from the University of Oxford (2001). In 2021, with Zhaoxia Pang she co-authored “Complete Mandarin”, a beginners’ course in the Teach Yourself series (CEFR A1 to touching B2).
Jing Fang has an MSc in Linguistics from the University of Edinburgh. She has over 30 years’ experience in teaching Chinese literature and language, as well as in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. She has been Lecturer in Chinese at the University of Oxford since 2000. She has contributed to textbooks such as When in China: A Guide to Chinese Business Culture (2015) and Social Perspective: An Intermediate-Advanced Chinese Course (Routledge 2022).
Review :
"China obscures, but there is clarity to be found," said the great French thinker Blaise Pascal as early as the 17th century. In the complex international context of this early 21st century, what a beautiful, innovative, and stimulating idea this international relations textbook is! It will enlighten advanced Chinese language students not only in their understanding of China's relations with the USA, Africa, France, Japan, Russia, and other countries, but also clarifies numerous lexical issues. The clarity provided by this textbook comes through concrete and original examples, such as the establishment of Chinese intellectuals in Montargis (France) in the early 20th century as part of the Work-Study Movement. (Joël BELLASSEN, Former university professor at Inalco, Honorary Inspector General of National Education, France).
"La Chine obscurcit, mais il y a la clarté à trouver", disait dès le 17ème siècle le grand penseur français Blaise PASCAL. Dans le contexte international complexifié de ce début de 21ème siècle, quelle belle, innovante et stimulante idée que ce manuel de relations internationales ! Il éclairera les étudiants avancés de chinois non seulement dans leur appréhension des relations de la Chine avec les USA, l'Afrique, la France, le Japon, la Russie et d'autres pays, mais clarifie également nombre de problèmes lexicaux. La clarté qu'apporte ce manuel se fait par le biais d'exemples concrets et originaux, tel l'établissement à Montargis (France) d'intellectuels chinois au début du 20ème siècle dans le cadre du mouvement Travail-Études. (Joël BELLASSEN, Ancien professeur des universités à l'Inalco, Inspecteur général honoraire de l'éducation nationale, France)
This expertly crafted textbook seamlessly bridges language learning with contemporary Chinese politics and global affairs. Designed for intermediate-advanced learners, it sparks critical analysis of modern issues while enhancing communication skills. Structured chapters—featuring clear objectives, engaging readings, and exercises—minimize prep time and maximize classroom impact. A must-have resource for dynamic, culturally informed Chinese language education. (Xiaoping Gao, Associate Professor, University of Wollongong, Australia.)
The current international situation is volatile and constantly changing, and these changes will affect the politics, economy, culture and science of all countries. Contemporary college students need to know about international relations no matter what their major is. China is comprehensively promoting Chinese-style modernization and plays an important role in international relations, so students studying diplomacy, international relations, and Chinese should pay more attention to the role played by China on the international stage. This textbook fully presents the status and role of China in the world, so this textbook has high teaching value and significance. I believe that this excellent textbook will provide abundant learning resources and knowledge for teachers and students of your school or university. (Armen Poghosyan，Associate Professor, Yerevan State University, Yerevan, Armenia)
This is a remarkable textbook for learners who would like to develop their Chinese language proficiency to the advanced level and beyond. Through the study of this textbook, learners will not only learn authentic Chinese but also understand the important events which have influenced the international relations of China. Highly recommended! (Zhaoxia Pang, Lecturer in Chinese Education, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, School of Oriental and African Studies, United Kingdom)
Chapters in this textbook provide invaluable insights into the dynamic partnership shaping global development. Perfectly suited for academic use, it enhances understanding of international relations and economic collaboration. Ideal for students studying abroad, it offers a comprehensive overview for those seeking a deep dive into global geopolitics. (Nahed Abdullah, Professor of Modern Chinese Literature and Translation, Ain Shams University, Egypt)
